Edward S. Jaworski

Edward S. Jaworski, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, departed this world for his last, great adventure on February 12, 2025. Born April 20, 1931 to Janina "Jenny" Jaworski and Anthony Jaworski, his Polish American roots ran deep. His childhood on the farms and tobacco fields of East Windsor taught him the value of good, hard work, and instilled in him his lifelong love of Farmall tractors. But his curiosity, sharp mind, and love of learning sent him off on a different path. It was on to UCONN. But he didn't forget his Polish roots. He once prepared a meal of homemade "gawumpki" (galobki) for his delighted fraternity brothers, earning him the nickname "Gawump".
All incoming UCONN students were required to join ROTC for two years, but Ed was inspired by aircraft and flying, so he signed up for an additional two years plus two years active duty upon graduation. In 1952 he was given his Bachelor of Science in Accounting, his gold bars as a Second Lieutenant in the US Air Force, and his orders to report for duty. His service sent him to a post in Tokyo during the Korean war. The beauty, culture, and people of Japan were a revelation, and fueled a desire to see, learn from, and understand people of all kinds that never left him.
After his discharge, he settled in Manchester, CT with his first wife, Rita, where they raised his four, lucky children. He gave them classical music on the stereo, shelves filled with books, and a schedule for the household chore rotation they had to follow taped inside the cabinet doors (organization was his hallmark).
After a divorce, he finally met Gail, the love of his life, in 1987. They married in 1991, he ended his 36-year career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft/United Technologies in 1992, and the next great adventure began. "Retirement" for them was for learning and growing. They took classes, went to lectures and museums and traveled much. Wanting a hub in Europe from which to explore further, they decided to up sticks and move to Alsace, France in 2001, where they lived for 13 years.
Edward Jaworski took notes and pens. He loved reading, music, driving, UCONN Basketball, learning new things, and writing. He wrote his autobiography. He wrote Limericks for every occasion, sent them in every card. He wrote a song he titled "The Artificial Man", and with each new medical challenge, he serenaded his specialist with their own verse. He never went anywhere without making a friend, and he will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to meet him.
Ed is survived by Gail, his loving wife of 33 years; his daughter Michelle and her husband Jim, his daughter Grace, grandsons Adam and Sam, and great granddaughters Kaylin, Piper, and Riley, his son Tony with his wife Chris and granddaughters Grace and Hope; his stepson Erik, and his stepdaughter Meredith. He was pre-deceased by his daughter Christine. Ed also leaves behind a host of dear friends here and abroad. We are all blessed to have been a part of his life.
Calling Hours will be held at Holmes-Watkins Funeral Home, 400 Main St., Manchester CT 06040 on Friday, February 21, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00PM. A Memorial Service will take place at the funeral home on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 10:00AM, followed by burial at East Cemetery, 220 E. Center St. in Manchester, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders or a charity of your choice.